While cracking to the crowd that he was a Republican and “born this way,” Alesi explained his logic. Since his name begins with the letter A, he’s the first Republican vote to be cast in the State Senate. (Last time this didn’t go as well.) “I am proud to be a Republican,” he noted. “I am also proud to be the first Republican voter to vote for marriage equality in this state, and to lead off what I hope will be a succession of more than just enough votes.” Even if there are “just enough” votes, Alesi said, he feels fine being one of the symbolic “yeses” — despite the fact that he said he’s already lost friends and allies over the issue. “I will feel free to go to bed at night and travel around not just New York State but the entire country … to say we passed marriage equality in New York State, and we will pass marriage equality in America.”

Although Skelos said earlier today that he won’t guarantee a vote on the issue by the end of the day tomorrow, when he predicts the legislative session will end, Alesi says he’s hopeful there will be one. “The vote I hope I will be taking before I leave for home will be about … granting equality for every American that wants it,” he said. Watch below as the crowd starts chanting “Thank you, Jim! Thank you, Jim!”

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has to bring the marriage bill to the floor. Urge him to do it. His number is: 518-455-3171, If you live in New York, work those phones.

Joe Sudbay
On October 27, 2010, Joe was one of five bloggers who interviewed President Obama. Joe is a DC-based political consultant with over twenty-five years of experience at both the state and federal level. Joe has managed political operations and legislative efforts for both candidates and issues-based organizations. For seven years, he was the Director of State Legislation at Handgun Control, Inc. He served as that organization's first Political Director during the 2000 cycle. Joe is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law. In addition, he has a Masters in Public Administration from Lehigh University and received his B.A. from the University of New Hampshire. Joe also has a fun dog, Petey, a worthy successor to Boomer, who got Joe through eight years of Bush and Cheney. Joe likes to think he is a world class athlete having finished the 2005 Chicago Marathon in the time of 4:10. He has completed six other marathons as well -- and is still determined to break the four hour mark.